Maya Lu is just nine years old, but she already has seven years of tattooing experience.
The girl, from Tengen, South Germany, started practising how to ink when she was two and now she has her own spot at tattoo studio Pysland 25.
Lily Lu, her parent who is non-binary, was her first client and over the years, they have helped Maya develop her skills.
She can now use the tattoo gun fully on her own without the help of her parents.
Although you have to be 18 to get a tattoo in most countries (including in the UK and in Germany where Maya lives), there is usually no minimum age to actually become a tattoo artist.
Lily said: ‘Me and some friends have always shown her some little tricks and it was amazing to see her progression with the machine.
‘Later on, she started learning different techniques and using bigger and different needles.
‘She needed some help in the first years but now at nine years old, she makes tattoos entirely on her own.
‘It’s so crazy to see her sitting there and actually going through the full process by herself and making these big pieces in such a short time. And on top of that, the tattoos look very nice when they healed.’
Maya’s tattoo skills are already on par with other tattoo artists three times her age but despite her incredible skills, Lily and partner Anuskatzz haven’t put pressure on her to pursue tattoo artistry.
They said: ‘I mean it’s senseless to compare it with the average skills of a professional tattoo artist, but compared to how old she is and how fast and clean she already tattoos, it is very impressive.
‘We will see what happens when she actually truly starts tattooing.
‘I always tell her to do whatever she feels like and go for her dreams.
‘And I think tattooing isn’t the worst skill for a backup to make a living in case everything else breaks away.’
Her parents have set up her own little desk to work on designs for fun at Lily’s tattoo studio.
Lily said: ‘Maya grew up with heavily tattooed parents and is the daughter of a very known tattoo artist.
‘So, tattooing was always around and she spends time in the tattoo studio.
‘Actually, we never had a real tattoo studio. It always was and is more like a private gallery where very chosen people get tattooed.
‘She always loved to hang around there until she claimed her own little corner in the middle of it where she has her workspace and table to paint and craft little things.
‘So, it was just as normal as painting on paper for her and she had many adult friends who all wanted a tattoo from her and so she started making more and more work.’
But it’s not as easy getting an appointment with her because she only works when she feels like it.
Lily added: ‘It always depends on her mood. When she feels like tattooing than she does it.
‘When she doesn’t, then she doesn’t.
‘My friends have asked her for a long time for a tattoo and I even bribed her with candy and presents, but she never felt like and it took years before they finally got a piece.’
The nine-year-old said: ‘I love monkeys and to work with the big needle. My favourite piece so far was the monkey I made on my friend Angelo.
‘I want to say thank you to everyone who has a tattoo from me already and I hope I find people who want to get big monkeys done with the big needle.’
Does your child have a unique talent? Let us know at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.
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